View full sizeErich Schegel, Special to The Plain DealerFor all the good feeling that is created by Colt McCoy (center) and his lockout camps, it's hard for Bud Shaw to believe that the Browns won't be one of the prime victims of an off-season without minicamps and exposure to the team's new offensive and defensive systems.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Would you buy a second-rate product at full cost from these men?

With the highest hopes of turning a bad situation into a slightly less bad situation, Browns players are getting together for workouts.

The workouts carry a catchy name: Camp Colt. That's short for an unproven quarterback (Colt McCoy) interpreting a West Coast offense he's never run while a veteran linebacker (Scott Fujita) plays the role of substitute teacher of a new defensive scheme for players who may or may not fit.

But at least NFL players are making an effort at keeping in shape. They didn't pick this fight, after all.

(By the way, no word on whether Randy Lerner is getting as much out of Camp Cash, the clandestine workouts where NFL owners conduct grueling finger-dexterity exercises so they can more easily count their money without cramping when the lockout ends.)

At this point if you are still of the opinion both sides deserve a pox upon their houses, fine. Just remember the same ownership responsible for the full-cost exhibition game ticket interrupted the greatest ride a professional sports league has ever enjoyed in order to orchestrate an impasse with its players. Based on that alone, I'd take up the players' cause seven days a week.

Plain Dealer columnists

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees issued a statement Wednesday calling for players and owners to settle differences and reach an agreement. By players and owners, of course, they meant owners.

"This is the time of year we as players turn our attention to the game on the field," the joint statement read. "We hope the owners feel the same way."

If Manning, Brady and Brees are worried about the lockout spilling into training camp and sabotaging their respective seasons, just think what an even longer stalemate would mean for a team such as the Browns. New offense. New defense. Rookie head coach serving as his own offensive coordinator. New defensive coordinator. What could go wrong?

Browns' players are putting their best face on things. But they must know every July or August day that goes by severely compromises their hopes for a turnaround.

"We won't have to start from scratch," Josh Cribbs told the PD of the Camp Colt get-togethers. "We're heavily into the playbook and we think the coaches will be surprised."

You have to like the attitude. But instead of starting from scratch they will be starting from near-scratch.

View full sizeBill Kostroun, Associated PressChristian Lopez may not have cashed in by selling the ball Derek Jeter sent into the Yankee Stadium stands for his 3,000th hit last Saturday ... but Bud Shaw is certain that doesn't mean Lopez made a poor decision.

Christian Lopez caught the ball from Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit -- a home run -- and thumbed his nose at everything this country stands for in 2011 by giving the souvenir to Jeter.He could've tried to sell it to the Yankees' shortstop. He could've put it up for bid on the Internet. He could've used the money to pay off college loans believed to exceed $100,000.

Instead, he considered Jeter's accomplishment -- a baseball milestone -- greater than his own accomplishment of being in the right place at the right time and falling on the ball.

"Money is cool and all but I'm 23," Lopez said. "I've got a lot of time to make that. It was never about the money."

Apparently, the IRS will tax the suite tickets and signed merchandise Lopez got from the Yankees. So he could actually owe $5,000-$13,000 in gift taxes. Miller High Life and Modell's Sporting Goods separately offered to help Lopez Wednesday with any tax bill. In the meantime, a lot of people are laughing at Lopez and calling him a fool.

What a country.

SPINOFFS

I'm not saying so many top pitchers missing from the All-Star Game was noticeable, but I thought Mitch Talbot pitched well for the AL in a losing effort...

Indians' reliever Chris Perez put it best about why home-field advantage in the World Series should go to the team with the best record, not to the league that wins the All-Star Game. Said Perez: "You work all year for a reason. You play all those games for a reason. Then to have home-field advantage decided by a rookie pitcher in the All-Star Game? I just don't think it's right."

Not to mention a rookie pitcher who might be the fifth alternate after four starters were excused from the game because they pitched Sunday...

Headline: "Ohio State AD likes early work from new coach" ... If you can't trust Gene Smith on the virtues of a Buckeyes coach, who can you trust?...

View full sizeAP fileThis Bob is a former Manager of the Year who tries to find wins for the "other team" in the Bay Area.

Prosecutors in Roger Clemens' perjury trial say needles and cotton balls allegedly used to inject Clemens tested positive for Clemens' DNA and anabolic steroids. That's as conclusive as anything sitting around in trainer Brian McNamee's basement for several years can be...

If an Olympic drug test gets compromised in any way, a positive result would have to be thrown out. I think Clemens juiced, but the evidence seems suspect if it's been lodged between "Jenga Truth or Dare" and an old garden gnome on somebody's work bench...

View full sizeAP fileFrom a full house to funny videos, this Bob keeps plenty of his fans smiling.

"Bud:

"In the major leagues, do Latino catchers flash their signs to the pitcher in English or Spanish?" -- Ken Wolnik

Most rely in the universal language known as The Macarena.

"Bud:

"Whatever happened to the home run ball Dwayne Kuiper hit?" -- Joe S

In Kuiper's telling, it hasn't landed yet.

"Bud:

"Do first-base coaches get to keep all of the batting gloves, elbow guards, foot/ankle protectors or any other gear given to them by the batter when he reaches first base?" -- Tim, Twinsburg

Every month or so, they mark a box for Easter Seals pickup and leave it in the coach's box between innings.

"Bud:

"Was Mohamed Massaquoi serious when he said none of the guys he worked out with -- Ochocinco, Ward, C. Johnson, Welker, Fitzgerald -- have big egos? Did he make these comments while out on the town with Hines Ward?" -- Bob

Dunno. I just know the Browns under Eric Mangini tried to control diva egos by never completing a pass over five yards.

"Bud:

"When did the MLB All-Star Game become the Pro Bowl?" -- Jonathan Hull

There's still a slight difference; namely, there's more contact in the All-Star Game.

"Bud:

"Don't take this the wrong way, but were you destined to write the Spin column because your initials are B.S.?" -- Chas K

Would you believe I have a brother named Phil who always tries to get in the last word?

"Bud:

"Do you think the NCAA would take the Buckeyes more seriously if their self-imposed sanctions included a five-game no dotting of the I?" -- Jim Lefkowitz

If you're a first-time "You Said It" winner you receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"How far do you think the momentum from [Travis Hafner's] walk-off grand slam against the Blue Jays will take the Indians?" -- Vince G

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